New beginnings for Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314

Mel thanking Club Officers (2011-2012) for the job well done

The meeting on Wednesday June 20, 2012 was a new beginning because:

1. New Club Officers were inducted, and

2. Two new CC’s were achieved by Drew Kolody and Renee Davis. 

Congratulations to Drew and Renee!!!

What a fantastic year it has been, thanks to Club Officers of the year 2011-2012. Lots of milestones were achieved including the most prestigious award: President's Distinguished Club.

Mel inducting the new Club Officers (2012-2013)

The new Officers of Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314 for the year 2012-13 Pauline Brown, President; Renee Davis, VP Education; Desiree Payne, VP Membership; Shirley Jarvis, VP Public Relations; Mel Bayo, Treasurer; Ellen Segal, Sergeant-at-Arms; and me Assegid Habtewold, Secretary installed by immediate Past Area 62 Governor, Mel Bayo. 

Una-Mae Kettering, immediate past Division F Governor, took the turn and inducted Mel. The ceremony was terrific and full of fun.

Una inducting Mel

Representing the previous leadership, Joan Phillips- the immediate past President of our Club beautified the event by awarding orange flowers to both past and newly inducted Club Officers. Joan’s color choice was purposeful. It was the Club’s color- orange which, according to Joan, is “a powerful color evocative of activity, fun, socialization, and more.”

Mel Bayo, the Toastmaster of the Evening, artfully led the event and made it colorful. Below are the three inspirational speeches from three great communicators:

1. “Give One Piece a Chance” by Drew Kolody
2. “I Have a Dream” by Renee Davis
3. “Be the Spark” by Myrln Kettering

Every new beginning starts with a “Dream”, says, the new President of our Club Pauline Brown. Both Renee and Merlyn made reference to Dr. Martin Luther King, who is synonymous with the word “Dream”. Drew also motivated us to listen NPR and some of us have already begun a new journey to listen Channel 88.5 FM.

What is more? We all profited from evaluations given by the Master Evaluator Myrln Kettering, and Evaluators of the three speeches enlisted above Fiona Morrissey, Desiree Payne, and Una-Mae Kettering.

We also received valuable feedbacks from our Timer Andy Jacobs and Grammarian/Wizard of Ahs Ignatius Cobb.

Many thanks to Mike Nolan and Una, we enjoyed your delicious refreshments during our social time. 


We were also so much happy to have three wonderful guests-Rebecca (from the neighborhood), Rebecca (from New Mexico), and Rich. We hope to see you again.

Thanks to Ignatius for the pics.


Keep your fingers crossed for another exciting and new Toastmasters year ahead...


Keep dreaming for another great new year: 2012-2013...

See you all on July 18, 2012. 

Living each day with a sense of urgency

When it comes to time management, there are three kinds of people: a) Those who abuse time as if they live forever, b) Those that live with a sense of urgency, and c) Those in between. I have been in these categories at some points in my life. What about you? In which category do you find yourself in this season of your life?

Time is one of the scarce resources in this world. We all have 24 hours per day and how we spend it determines our status in life now, and most importantly in the future. Paradoxically, whether we are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, known or obscure, we all have equal amount of time per day. If we lose the time we have today, we lose it forever. No rich, title, money or recognition can buy us back a fraction of second we have already spent.

On the other hand, if we lose our money, friendship, or health, we may get it back. That is not the case when it comes to time. Time is none renewable. That is why we need to enter into a sense of urgency to use our time on a daily basis wisely, effectively, consciously, and by pursuing those important things in our life, for which we care deeply.

We should also know that there is a direct correlation between using time efficiently and success. Successful people live with a sense of urgency and as if each day is their last. Accordingly,

1.   They allocate the chunk of their best time towards the accomplishment of those things they care the most.

2.   They don’t just make the time available though; they maximize it by investing their scarce resources.

3.   Not only that, they remain continuously aligned with those main things closer to their heart and exploit the time they have now and today regardless of so many distractions they may face every now and then, especially in this information age.

Unfortunately, we don’t find many people living each day with a sense of time. The majority of us fail to adopt this lifestyle and remain there for a very long period of time. There are, at least, three compounding factors that may disallow us from living each day with a sense of emergency and at the end of the day deny many of us success, significance, and most importantly fulfillment in life. These triads include but not limited to:

1.  Preoccupying with the past in the expense of the moment at hand. Talking, celebrating, or complaining about the past takes the majority of our time, focus, and energy. 

2.     Procrastination. By waiting too long until pursuing those crucial things in our life becomes too late or impossible. We pause or slow down today for better days ahead.

3.    Skepticism about the future. Some people have a very gloomy picture about the future that they forsake making each day count.

But, we should be careful from making a big mistake in the name of living each day with a sense of urgency. We shouldn’t make a blunder of entering into a pseudo sense of urgency. Therefore, we should familiarize ourselves with what is not a sense of urgency? For instance, sense of urgency doesn’t mean, we:

1.     Do things with a fast pace and all the time, without rest, and by ignoring some important tasks such as learning and growing on a daily basis. Sense of urgency doesn't mean that we do certain things in a fast paced without rest & in the expense of other important aspects of our life.

2.     Avoid our obligations in serving our communities, churches, and nations.

3.   Undermine other important aspects of our life such as our relationships, health, spirituality, and social life.

In conclusion, time is none renewable resource that we should maximize the time we have at hand and each day towards those things that are at most urgent in our life, things that matter the most. Yet, we should be cautious not to enter into a state of pseudo sense of urgency. We should also know that our success here at Toastmasters is determined by how much time we allocate for it and whether it is one of our priorities. We should also use every opportunity here in our club to improve our skill on how to use time wisely.

Prices of leadership

“No pain no gain!” You most probably heard this popular saying more often. It is universally accepted that if we desire to gain something, we should be ready to pay its worth. This is so true when it comes to leadership. If we desire to enjoy the full benefits of leadership, we should be ready to pay the attached prices.

We joined Toastmasters and started a rewarding journey towards becoming great communicators and leaders. It was a very smart decision. Toastmasters is the right place where one can improve his or her leadership skill. Indeed, the sky is the limit.

Yet, expecting to enjoy the accompanying advantages of leadership alone is never enough. It requires us to acquaint ourselves with the prices of leadership, and remind ourselves about them once in awhile. As we all know, anything valuable has a price tag. We even become suspicious if something valuable is available for free. Leadership is one of those worthy things that demand paying its dues. There is no free ride in leading our glorious destiny.

For that matter, when we look back in history, we notice that those successful leaders we admire shouldered the burden of leadership and passed through lots of challenges. These leaders, not just lived a quite and smooth life all the time, they also experienced chaotic moments and spent some time in the wilderness. Not only they drove on the highway, but also they walked through the valley at some points in their leadership journey.

Unfortunately, many people appreciate successful leaders, and the recognition, wealth, and power they possess and aspire to become leaders without counting the prices of these possessions. Many times, those who are inspired by the bright and good sides of leadership may find themselves shocked when they are confronted with lots of challenges they never thought exist. What is sad is that when they are faced with consistent obstacles as they lead towards achieving their dream, they think that it is odd and only happens against them. They may think that something isn’t right or they start to doubt themselves and whether they are capable to lead. They don’t consider passing through these challenges as part of the process. Some may even quit when the going gets tough.

Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the burden and count the prices of leadership ahead of time. When we do so, we are immunized and prepared to shoulder the various prices of leadership that may come in our way. When we actually pay the prices of leadership, we would become battle-tested leaders.

Leaders who impacted the most and left legacies are the ones who endured lots of challenges that shaped their character. While they were passing through challenges, they persisted till the end and that is why we admire and adore them. If we aspire to become great leaders, there is no short cut. We should be willing to pay the prices of leadership and get shaped in the process.

There are numerous prices of leadership. The size and magnitude of these prices may vary from person to person. We may face one or some or all of the following prices of leadership, and even more:

•       Scrutiny,
•       Ridicule,
•      Rejection,
•      Intimidation, and
•      Assassination.

When we were living without taking leadership in the area of our passion, no one cares. The moment we step out and take leadership initiatives, that is when some people may start to scrutinize us. They question whether we are capable and qualified to lead. They may go back in our past and try to find some dirt and weaknesses. When they see that we are firm and continued to lead regardless of intense scrutiny, they step up their price and start to ridicule us.  If we are persistent, some people reject our relationship to show us how much they distaste our life style of leadership. Many people reject you and leave you alone but some people are not nice. They may intimidate you using various mechanisms. You may not get thousands of intimidation letters per year like US Presidents that threaten their life but you may encounter some forms of intimidations.

If we are persistent and continue to pay the aforementioned prices, we may be challenged to pay the ultimate price. It is like in bidding. You should continue to pay until no one is matching your bid. Many great leaders we admire such as Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. paid the ultimate price, assassination. Nonetheless, many of us may not face assassination but at least, we may encounter character assassination. People may assassinate your character so that you may not have credibility. Without credibility, our leadership is lame.

The good news is that Toastmasters gives you the platform to equip yourself to lead. The environment at Toastmasters is supportive where you may begin as no body but ended up a great leader. You gain practical experiences of leadership and develop the necessary skills and character you need to endure challenges you may face outside of Toastmasters. There are lots of leadership opportunities that would prepare you to pay the prices of leadership while smiling. You will be shaped to endure challenges, and finally become a battle-tested leader. 

A Sparkling Success of a Division Contest

Una Mae Kettering planned and hosted it, Sandra Coles-Bell emcee'd it, Maxine Blanks competed in it, Mel Bayo and Merlyn Kettering supported it, Barry Piatt addressed it  . . . 

Una recognizes test speaker
Gary Vogan

With such a great Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314 presence, how could the Division F International Speech and Evaluation Contest have been anything other than sparkling!


Every element--from the timing and presentation to the refreshments and acknowledgments--was first rate. Division Governor Una, your meticulous planning paid off beautifully. Yet what I found most beautiful were your graciousness in acknowledging everyone's contributions and the passionate, exuberant sincerity of your testimonial to the value of the Toastmasters experience. You inspired us all.

Speaking of testimonial to the value of the Toastmasters experience . . . So many of us have found just that over the years in the person of the afternoon's Contestmaster. Sandra, from your contestant introductions and interviews to your closing ad libs, I was busy making mental notes for the next time I step up to the Contestmaster role. The combination of grace, intelligence, caring,  humor, and forthright ease that is your "special sauce" made the entire proceedings delightful.

Maxine with fellow Evaluation
contestants

Speaking of stepping up . . . Maxine, wow! I was so proud of how well you represented Club 1314; thank you so much! Though you were not to prevail this time around, it was abundantly clear how much preparation and professionalism you brought to your evaluation of the test speech. Your evaluation was a model of style and substance. As we often say, we will certainly look forward to more evaluations from you, as learning opportunities for all of us!

Mel being recognized with other
Div. F Area Governors

And then there was the supporting cast of guys in orange--shirt, tie, or bandanna. Area 62 Governor Mel, thanks for your unflagging, spot-on guidance and support for Maxine and all members of our club, all year. Merlyn, I will take Una at her word in saying she couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being there, taking care of so many details and providing moral support so that she can do so much for all of us!

Barry and team: Go Orange!
Be the Spark!

Finally, District Governor Barry: I was excited to learn that former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan will be speaking at the District 36 Conference on "how to talk about complicated matters in a way that makes people listen and even want to take action." I need this! We need this! Everybody, check out the great program Barry is planning for Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, and plan to take advantage of as many opportunities for personal growth, learning, and fun as you can!

Active Listening: the key ingredient for effective communication

Effective communication is the number one tool to succeed in any endeavor, said Les Brown, one of my favorite motivational speakers. He said that communication determines whether people vote for you; write you a check; invest in what you do; and buy your services and products.

Communication is the key to create and sustain relationships at home, work, and in the marketplace. Relationship without communication is a handgun without bullets. Fortunately, those of us who joined Toastmasters believed in the importance of communication. That is why we joined this world-class organization that provides its members the opportunities to improve our communication skill.

However, mastering communication is not an easy task. It takes to invest time and show some serious efforts. It also requires understanding that effective communication consists of the three most important triads: relating, connecting, and listening. We should also know that effective communication isn’t a one-way street as many communication experts agree. It isn’t all about talking, oratory, and even convincing the other side. The two parties should come into concordance through coding and decoding the messages transmitted. As much as effective communication involves speaking, it also entails listening. The latter is the most important part of the equation. For that matter, communication without active listening is incomplete.

Therefore, as we communicate with our loved ones, co-workers, and partners, we should make sure to listen their side of the story too if our desire is to communicate our messages and also earn their trust. We need to listen their feedbacks, and also make sure to read their unexpressed questions, doubts, and concerns they may have. Without active listening, it is hard to pick these signals. That is why many relationships and partnerships have been ruined. When people are asked why their relationship failed, they say something like this: “He or she doesn’t listen to me”.

When we have an active listening skill, not only we succeed in communicating in a given instance, but also enable the relationship to continue. Once people see that we listen, they are encouraged to further continue relating with us. They consider us respectful and trustworthy persons. They trust us for their time. They also know that we care and love them. This is because listening is an expression of love. That is why Paul Tillich said: the first duty of love is listening.

Any ways, what is active listening? First, what active listening is not? It is not just giving our ears and nodding our head while the other person talks. It takes to give our whole being- our ears, mind, soul, and heart. We know that we have fully developed active listening, as Peter Drucker noted, when we listen “what isn’t being said”.

The challenge is why many of us fail to listen wholeheartedly? One or more of the following reasons may apply. We may be:

• Preoccupied with personal pressing and urgent matters. Rather than giving our full attention while the other person talks, we may think about issues that are on our plate.

• Absorbed by what we would reply as soon as the speaker finishes. Sometimes, we may not even wait until the person finishes his messages; we may interrupt, and make sure our points of views are heard.

• Engrossed with preconceived biases towards the person, his beliefs, or messages. When we have prejudice towards the speaker, chances are high that we may not listen what he has to say.

• Distracted by external factors. These factors could be related to the environment, the people around us, and/or the way the speaker is dressed or his styles, and movements. We engage our eyes and divert our attention towards those things that are nothing to do with the message the other person is trying to extend. We criticize silently how the place should be organized; the person is dressed, behaved, and acted than listening what he is saying.

• Engaged with our emotion than heart. The moment we hear some offending terms or ideas, or disagree with the speaker; we are caught up with disagreeing spirit, and stop listening the reminder of the talk. We cannot wait to react angrily or leave the conversation.

The final question is how can we discipline ourselves and start to listen actively?

• First, we need to embrace listening as the key ingredient for effective communication.

• We should also train ourselves to listen consciously. Listening hasn’t always been my strong suit. I have got some results but I am still working on it. These days, I train myself consciously to listen until the other person finishes his/her thoughts. I train myself to ask clarifications and follow-up questions before making statements.

• If you aren’t yet, join Toastmasters that gives you chances to improve your communication, and listening skills. Those of us who are members, we should use every opportunity to train ourselves listen actively.

• Get feedback from people around you to know whether you listen to them.